What’s On Track: Stakes Action Picks Right Back up After a Dynamic Memorial Day Slate

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Keep an Open Mind

Based on resume’s, the $275,000 Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs is Tapit Trice’s to lose. However, the same was said about Fierceness leading up to the Kentucky Derby, and we all know how that played out.

It’s not to say history will repeat itself this Saturday, it’s more so about understanding that a horse race is anything but a sure thing.

Enter Highland Falls (5-2), a 4-year-old colt on an upward swing. The Brad Cox trainee has competed in consecutive graded affairs after debuting at the level with a close fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on Mar. 3.

Last time out in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), Highland Falls finished second behind 5-2 choice Skippylongstocking.

Keep an eye on the Florent Geroux mount ahead of a stiff test with Tapit Trice (3-1).

Polarizing Patterns

If patterns mean something to you, then Way to Be Marie’s streak of alternating seconds and firsts should have the 3-year-old filly atop your watch list going into Saturday’s $275,000 Regret (G3T) at Churchill Downs.

While not on the level of the San Francisco Giants winning three straight even-year World Series (2010, 2012, 2014), Way to Be Marie has finished either first or second in five consecutive starts.

For what it’s worth, the Rob Atras charge landed a half-length behind Edgewood (G2T) winner Dynamic Pairing last out.

So, if the trend continues, Way to Be Marie (3-1) is well positioned to make some noise in what will be her second attempt at the graded tier.

Podium, Party of One

For NFL fans, a heavenly Sunday comes once every week between September and February. For the connections of equine athlete Heavenly Sunday, it comes every time the 4-year-old filly takes to the track.

The Brad Cox trainee’s next opportunity to add to her righteous resume comes none other than this Sunday at Churchill Downs in the $225,000 Mint Julep (G3T).

Before a fourth last out in the Modesty (G3), Heavenly Sunday had landed in the money in eight of nine career starts. Even with the uncharacteristic miss, the multiple graded stakes winner (Grade 2 Edgewood and Grade 3 Mrs. Revere) still owns a remarkable podium hit rate of 80 per cent.

At 2-0-0 in three lifetime starts at Churchill Downs, Heavenly Sunday (5-2) finds herself in a familiar setting despite the unfamiliar territory.

Seamless Transition

Making the jump from the Black Type or Listed Stakes ranks to the graded tier can return the same kind of frustration that a top pitching prospect feels after facing major league hitting for the first time.

While we’re not quite ready to call Big City Lights Paul Skenes just yet, the 5-year-old looked comfortable in the Palos Verdes (G3) on Feb. 10 – his first graded endeavour.

The Richard Mandella pupil will try his luck amongst the big dogs, once again, this time in the $200,000 Triple Bend (G2) at Santa Anita.

It’s been a banner start for Big City Lights, who hasn’t fallen below second through nine career runs (5-4-0).

The Flavien Prat mount returns Saturday to the track that’s been host to four of his five total triumphs.

Rondure Redemption

Graded stakes winner Rondure returns to Woodbine for his second start of 2024 with a particular goal in mind: redemption.

The 5-year-old has his sights set on Saturday’s $175,000 Eclipse (G2); a dash that didn’t go according to plan the first time around on Jun. 4, 2023 (eighth place).

Rondure (12-1) enters this year’s edition of the $175,000 contest in strong form after a successful tune-up jaunt on May 11.

Outside of last year’s falter, the Katerina Vassilieva protégé has fared well at the graded class. Rondure dazzled in the 2022 Marine (G3) with a dominant 5 1/2-length score under veteran rider Rafael Hernandez, who will reprise his role come Saturday.

The Woodbine regular is 4-2-0 in 11 starts to date.